CPM Organizational Change Models 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stage of Bridges' Transition Model is often the most difficult for employees because it involves uncertainty and a loss of identity?
- Endings
- The Neutral Zone (Correct answer)
- New Beginnings
- Refreezing
Correct answer: The Neutral Zone
The Neutral Zone is the in-between period where the old is gone but the new hasn't fully arrived, creating confusion, anxiety, and productivity dips.
Question 2: According to Kotter's model, what is the PRIMARY danger if short-term wins are not celebrated?
- Employees may demand higher compensation
- Resisters may gain credibility and momentum to undermine change (Correct answer)
- The guiding coalition may expand too quickly
- The organization may skip refreezing prematurely
Correct answer: Resisters may gain credibility and momentum to undermine change
Without visible short-term wins, skeptics and resisters gain ammunition to argue the change isn't working, threatening momentum.
Question 3: The 'R' in ADKAR stands for:
- Resistance
- Reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Readiness
- Realization
Correct answer: Reinforcement
In ADKAR, Reinforcement is the fifth element, representing the need to sustain change through incentives, recognition, and accountability.
Question 4: A company redesigns its org chart but does not update its reward systems or management practices. According to the Burke-Litwin Model, this is likely to fail because:
- Structure is a transformational factor that cannot be changed alone
- Transactional factors must align with structural changes for results to improve (Correct answer)
- The external environment was not analyzed first
- Leadership style was not addressed in the model
Correct answer: Transactional factors must align with structural changes for results to improve
Burke-Litwin shows that transactional factors (rewards, management practices, climate) must be aligned with structural changes to affect individual and organizational performance.
Question 5: In McKinsey's 7-S Framework, 'Style' refers to:
- The graphic design of company communications
- The leadership and management behavior patterns of senior management (Correct answer)
- The formal reporting hierarchy
- The documented strategic plan
Correct answer: The leadership and management behavior patterns of senior management
Style in the 7-S Framework refers to the cultural style of how leaders interact and how they prioritize their time, signaling what truly matters in the organization.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes a 'first-order' change?
- A fundamental shift in organizational values and strategy
- An incremental adjustment within the existing system (Correct answer)
- A complete overhaul of the organization's business model
- A change triggered by a sudden external crisis
Correct answer: An incremental adjustment within the existing system
First-order change is incremental and continuous, making improvements within the existing framework without altering the organization's core nature.
Question 7: A manager notices an employee has Awareness and Desire for a change but lacks Knowledge of how to change. According to ADKAR, the correct intervention is:
- Increase urgency communications to boost motivation
- Provide targeted training and coaching on new skills and processes (Correct answer)
- Create a reward system tied to the new behaviors
- Remove obstacles in the work environment blocking progress
Correct answer: Provide targeted training and coaching on new skills and processes
When the Knowledge barrier is identified in ADKAR, the solution is education and training to fill the gap in understanding how to make the change.
CPM Organizational Change Models 3
Which stage of Bridges' Transition Model is often the most difficult for employees because it involves uncertainty and a loss of identity?